The faithful filled the country's churches and cathedrals with enthusiasm and participation in response to Pope Bergoglio's call. Becoming "one in Christ" and strengthening the ideal of "unity and communion" with the Church universal were among the many intentions. Special thoughts were devoted to the victims of war, crisis and religious persecution.

Hanoi (AsiaNews) - Vietnamese Catholics have answered Pope Francis's call by
gathering in prayer for Sunday's hour of Worldwide Eucharistic Adoration. The
faithful packed the country's cathedrals, churches and monasteries wishing to
"become one in Christ," participating in the Eucharist with other
families as "brothers and sisters", and giving a signal of
"unity and spiritual closeness."

All the parishes of Vietnam prayed for the communion of the Church, dedicating
a special thought to the solution of the economic crisis and for all those who
suffer and are victims of war, slavery in the workplace, and human trafficking.

Last
Sunday, the Catholic Church met in prayer at the same time but in
different time zones around the world, gathered before the ostentorium in
silence, singing, reading the Bible and reciting prayers written by the most
recent popes, from
Pius XII to Benedict XVI.

The Worldwide Eucharistic Adoration began at 5 pm, Rome time, and ended at
6. In
Vietnam, it was 10 pm; yet, despite the late hour, cathedrals and churches were
crowded with people.

In the Diocese of Lang Son, in northern Vietnam near the border with China,
Bishop Joseph Dang Duc Ngan sent a pastoral letter to priests, religious and
the whole community of faithful, asking them to join with devotion the prayers held
in the cathedral.

Since many Catholics live in remote mountainous areas, priests in some of the
diocese's parishes moved the celebration forward.

The same feeling of communion and spirit of participation accompanied the
intentions of many of the faithful present, who gave Pope Francis a
"special thanks".

A demand for "unity" and "growth" of faith for all
Vietnamese Catholics was one of the intentions expressed in the country, which
is still under state atheism characterised by discrimination and violence
against religions.